Khazaria vs. Tartary

Attribute	Khazaria	Tartary
Location	Between the Black and Caspian Seas	Northern and Central Asia
Capital	Atil	Various
Religion	Judaism	Various
Rulers	Khagans	Khans
Trade	Thriving trade routes	Important trade hub

History

Khazaria was a semi-nomadic Turkic kingdom that existed in the late 6th to the 10th centuries in the region of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. It was known for its strategic location between the Byzantine Empire and the Arab Caliphate, as well as its diverse population of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and pagans. Tartary, on the other hand, was a historical region in northern and central Asia that encompassed parts of modern-day Russia, China, and Mongolia. It was inhabited by various nomadic tribes, such as the Mongols and Tatars, and played a significant role in the history of the Silk Road.

Geography

Khazaria was situated in the Pontic-Caspian steppe, a vast grassland stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea. This location allowed the Khazars to control key trade routes and establish lucrative trading relationships with neighboring empires. Tartary, on the other hand, was a much larger region that extended from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. It was characterized by its diverse landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and grasslands, which made it a challenging territory to govern.

Religion

The Khazars were unique in that they practiced a form of Judaism as their state religion, making them one of the few Jewish kingdoms in history. This religious diversity allowed the Khazars to maintain diplomatic relations with a wide range of neighboring powers. In contrast, Tartary was predominantly inhabited by nomadic tribes that adhered to shamanism, Buddhism, or Tengrism. This religious diversity contributed to the cultural richness of Tartary but also made it difficult to establish a unified identity.

Political Structure

Khazaria was ruled by a khagan, or king, who held both political and religious authority. The Khazars had a decentralized political system that allowed for a degree of autonomy among the various tribes within the kingdom. In contrast, Tartary was a loose confederation of tribes that often engaged in power struggles and conflicts over territory. The lack of a centralized authority in Tartary made it difficult to maintain stability and unity among the nomadic tribes.

Economy

The Khazars were known for their thriving trade economy, which was based on their control of key trade routes connecting Europe and Asia. They engaged in trade with the Byzantine Empire, the Arab Caliphate, and other neighboring powers, which brought wealth and prosperity to the kingdom. Tartary, on the other hand, relied primarily on pastoralism and agriculture for its economy. The nomadic tribes of Tartary herded livestock and cultivated crops in the fertile regions of the territory, sustaining themselves through a combination of hunting, fishing, and farming.

Legacy

Despite their eventual decline and disappearance from historical records, the Khazars left a lasting legacy in the form of their unique cultural and religious practices. The Khazars' adoption of Judaism and their role as intermediaries between different civilizations contributed to the cultural diversity of the region. Tartary, on the other hand, is remembered for its nomadic way of life and its influence on the development of trade routes and cultural exchange in Asia. The legacy of Tartary can be seen in the modern-day descendants of the nomadic tribes that once roamed the vast steppes of northern and central Asia.